I am a new barefoot runner...basically trying it because nothing else has worked to get me off the injury bandwagon.
I inured my achilles about 3 years ago. Since then it's been off & on bouts with tendinosis. It flared up again last year at this time. Just as I was getting out of the woods with that, my right knee started up in the spring. So it's been a year since I did any real running.
Now that I'm easing–and I do mean easing– back into it, I've decided to just start BF and then work into Vibrams as necessary. But I can't help thinking that while the mid/forefoot landing may be the best thing possible for my knee, I could be making the worst mistake ever as far as my AT goes. I keep reading about how achilles injuries are the bane of barefoot/minimalist runners and how a strong AT is necessary for the BFR action. Am I making a big mistake with my injury history? Has anyone else here overcome AT injury and found BF/MR to be beneficial?
So far I've only done two 1/4th mile barefoot runs. I've had no calf soreness or blistering yet. I have felt an almost imperceptible tingling/burn in my achilles just after each BFR that goes away. Havign said that, I admit I am extremely paranoid about my AT and have lost all grip on reality when it comes to sensations I'm feeling. Prior to this, I've been going barefoot as much as possible around the house & yard for probably a year now.
I just feel like I might be screwd either way. Traditional shoes may be better for my AT, but they encourage overstriding & heel striking and are therefore detrimental to my knee.
I inured my achilles about 3 years ago. Since then it's been off & on bouts with tendinosis. It flared up again last year at this time. Just as I was getting out of the woods with that, my right knee started up in the spring. So it's been a year since I did any real running.
Now that I'm easing–and I do mean easing– back into it, I've decided to just start BF and then work into Vibrams as necessary. But I can't help thinking that while the mid/forefoot landing may be the best thing possible for my knee, I could be making the worst mistake ever as far as my AT goes. I keep reading about how achilles injuries are the bane of barefoot/minimalist runners and how a strong AT is necessary for the BFR action. Am I making a big mistake with my injury history? Has anyone else here overcome AT injury and found BF/MR to be beneficial?
So far I've only done two 1/4th mile barefoot runs. I've had no calf soreness or blistering yet. I have felt an almost imperceptible tingling/burn in my achilles just after each BFR that goes away. Havign said that, I admit I am extremely paranoid about my AT and have lost all grip on reality when it comes to sensations I'm feeling. Prior to this, I've been going barefoot as much as possible around the house & yard for probably a year now.
I just feel like I might be screwd either way. Traditional shoes may be better for my AT, but they encourage overstriding & heel striking and are therefore detrimental to my knee.